Critics Declare Victory Against Controversial Project

Chicago aviation officials announced Monday no funds will be going towards the O'Hare Modernization Program (OMP) from the $12 million in federal stimulus money sent to O'Hare to help improve existing infrastructure.

Officials including Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) announced more than $5 million will be used to replace runway pavement and almost $7 million will be used to widen a taxiway... but absolutely no monies will be awarded to the controversial OMP project.

"This is important, this means people are finally listening to what we have been saying for years. The current O'Hare expansion plan is not the answer and should be re-examined before another cent of taxpayer funds are wasted," said Bensenville Village President John Geils. "We were in Washington, DC six weeks ago explaining the situation to lawmakers and it looks like they were listening. Today is a victory for the residents of Bensenville and everyone who knows the current airport expansion plan needs to be re-worked to be functional."

Critics of the OMP say the "O'Hare mega-project is behind schedule, underfunded and the meter is running." They also question the logic of expanding the busy airport at a time when airlines are cutting fleets and routes in the slumping economy.

"The day the federal government takes a harder look at the O'Hare expansion plan is the day the plan will be re-worked. The need for a 3rd airport as part of a master Chicago aviation strategy is obvious to anyone who looks at the passenger traffic patterns," continued Geils. "When we met with senators and congressman and their staff they could not believe the OMP was still considered a viable plan and as we see, they can influence what projects merit federal funding and what projects do not. The current O'Hare expansion plan does not."

FMI: www.stop-omp.org